KUCHING, Sept 2: Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian took a swipe at large truck drivers for posing dangers to other road users and destroying sections of underpasses when they ignore height restrictions and bridge clearance limits while on the road.
He highlighted this in a post on his Facebook page yesterday (Sept 1) while calling for tougher action on these irresponsible truck drivers to teach them a lesson.
“Despite the height limit (now I understand why it’s always broken and requiring fixing by JKR (Public Works Department) all the time),” the post read.
Attached to his post was a photo of a truck carrying an excavator passing through the Batu Kawa underpass, with the excavator’s roof high enough to strike and grate the underside of the overpass.
Dr Sim stressed that large truck drivers who ignore these height restrictions just to take shortcuts were not only putting themselves and everyone on the road at risk but also destroying underpass bridges and sections of road that can cost a lot of money to repair.
“You are causing potential structural damage to the bridge and (causing) extreme danger to public safety!” he emphasised.
As the Batu Kawa underpass bridge was part of a federal road, Dr Sim revealed he had asked JKR to check if there was any structural damage to the bridge.
“Also, to enhance the warning signs on the height limit (of the underpass),” he proposed while also suggesting painting the underside of the underpass so that trucks which attempted to pass through can be identified.
“JPJ (Road Transport Department) and police to compound fine the drivers and owners of trucks. (If) warning does not help, (then) let action speak for itself!” he warned. — DayakDaily
